Zephyr Strings

Simula

"Aren't you from here, are you?" he seriously asked.

I smiled widely and shook my head. Lalo siyang nagkunot ng noo nang ipakita ko ang badge ng aking coat. Tahimik niya iyong binasa.

"I'm from Brazil. I cut my classes for some reasons," I said nonchalantly.

"Magpapakamatay ka na nga lang, sa Pinas pa ang pinili mo." Walang ganang usal niya at muling sumandal sa kinasasandalan kong puno ngayon.

I cackled and watched him stare at the sky. Ngumuso ako. He looks good. Hindi ko tipo ang mga mapuputing lalaki. I want the brown ones. But for some reason, this Mestizo dude right beside me is exceedingly oozing a strong sex appeal and good features.

Binalingan ko ang tinitingnan niya at ngumiti nang makita ang maraming bituin sa langit. Ang kaninang bigat na nararamdaman ay biglang naglaho.

"What's your name?" I asked without looking at him.

"Casimir," he answered lazily.

Lalo akong napangiti at bumaling sa kaniya. He looked at me. Ngumisi ako at inalok ang kamay sa kaniya. Kunot-noo niya iyong tinapunan ng tingin at umirap.

"I am Ludovica. Nice to meet you, Casimir." I chuckled and put my hand down.

My grin widened when he gazed at me again. I put up my brows and tilted my head. His eyes are deep and have a shade of brown. It complemented his fair skin. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at nagtaas pa ng kilay.

"Why were you planning to jump off?" biglang tanong niya.

Bahagyang napawi ang ngiti ko. Humalakhak ako at bumaling na sa harapan namin. He's a stranger and I am free to tell him my problems. Pero dahil guwapo siya, nagbago ang isip ko.

"Sino ba may sabing tatalon ako? I was exercising," mayabang kong pagrarason. "Sa ganda kong 'to, mamamatay ako nang naka-uniform lang? Don't make me laugh." Halakhak ko at umirap pa.

"Insane." Aniya at biglang tumayo.

My eyes widened. I immediately got up and took my bag. Napaatras siya nang muntik na niya akong mabangga. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Home," kunot-noong sagot niya.

I pursed my lips and glanced at my wristwatch. Ngumiwi ako nang matantong nakadepende ang oras nito sa Brazil. Binalingan ko si Casimir na tinutupi na ang sleeves ng suot niya hanggang siko.

"Can you... Come with me?" nag-aalinlangan kong tanong.

He turned to me with knitted brows. I gave him a smile to persuade him. I know it won't be easy for me once the dusk submerges. For now, I want to enjoy it. I don't think I can do it without someone.

"I need to go home. Find someone else or go back to your country. You choose." Malamig niyang usal at nilagpasan ako.

Suminghap ako at mabilis na humabol sa kaniya. Marahas siyang nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga nang humarang ako sa kaniya. I smiled again.

"Please?" I said and smiled more.

Hindi man lang ako kinabahan nang gumalaw ang kaniyang mga panga at nakitaan na ng inis ang mga mata. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa aking harapan at seryosong nakadungaw sa akin.

"You don't even know me. What if I tell you I'm a rapist?" He said grimly and took a step closer to me.

My smile vanished. Kumalabog ang aking puso at napaatras palayo sa kaniya. He raised a brow at that. I looked away and licked my lips.